PART II - INSPECTION
The Arkan began his inspection, first being introduced to the Berserker students. He seemed to pick one of the recruits at random, asking their name, what tier they were and where they were from. He added a couple more innocuous questions to the recruit, Xera or Thorn, before adding a gruff, “Very good, Recruit.” The inspection continued onwards to the Barbarians and then the Paladins, where Jitta was similarly interrogated. He made a point of loudly congratulating her on reaching Silver Tier before turning to continue.
“And what class do we have here?” Pelidri asked, as he arrived at the next group.
“We are the Druids, Arkan,” returned a stiff, female voice.
“Ahh, a welcome addition to any battle. Tell me, Recruit, what tier have you reached?”
“I’ve reached Platinum, Arkan.” A rumble of light, stifled giggles went through the formation as it became clear the newcomer was talking to Rowani, apparently not realizing she was the trainer.
“Platinum! Seriously?” He looked confusedly at Xera.
“She is,” Xera replied, a bit of a smile creeping into the corners of their mouth as they nodded. “She’s, in fact, the finest Druid we have here at the camp.” That was actually not a lie.
“How could she be Platinum? She can’t be older than … what … fifteen!”
“I like to think of myself as seventeen, Arkan,” Rowani said stiffly, being purposely vague, but still technically accurate. She had, after all, been sixty-seven before the unicorn blood took fifty years away. She caught a look from Thorn, who smirked and added a wink in return, playing along with the unintended joke.
“Seventeen? Well, if that’s the case, I expect the greatest of things from you in the future.”
Pelidri partially turned, taking a step to continue the inspection, when he caught sight of Tazrok standing in the back. “You are a Druid, too?” He glanced over the other Druid recruits and then back to Xera. “Is that possible?”
“Yes, Arkan,” Tazrok said flatly. “Am Druid.”
“Corporal Tazrok is indeed a very fine Druid recruit,” Xera added.
“Corporal?”
“I am Corporal of Punishment,” Tazrok attempted to clarify, seeming to straighten his pose even further.
“Perhaps this is another story for later,” Xera suggested as they cleared their throat. There really wasn’t time to explain everything. Xera knew Pelidri would want to talk to someone of each class, and if every odd thing was detailed, they’d be here all afternoon, if not into the evening.
Thorn quickly added, “I suspect there are going to be several stories for later, Arkan Pelidri. It has been a … interesting term so far.”
“I see,” the Arkan said with obvious confusion on his face as he stroked his beard. He looked up at Tazrok’s huge, hulking form, and simply said, “Carry on, then, Corporal. I look forward to seeing you in training.”
Tazrok sharply nodded an affirmative in response, adding a grunt for emphasis.
Xera led the review forward, the trio next coming to the two Combat Healers. Pelidri chose Ambria to interrogate, switching to a language of pops and whistles very similar to, or possibly the same as, what the Brownies at the tannery were speaking. Ambria seemed to brighten in recognition of the words before responding with the same. The Arkan gestured towards his own head, obviously asking about the Faun’s missing antler pieces, taking in Ambria's response with a look of genuine respect. To conclude the brief discussion, Pelidri ended with a simple, “Keep up the good work, Recruit.”
While the Arkan was making his rounds, out of the corner of her eye, Callie saw a strange carriage come through the gate, several minutes behind the rest. It was obviously designed to move people, but it was a little longer than the others, although still only needing two korrox to pull it. What was truly strange, though, was how it was painted. Bright colors adorned it, some in a random, haphazard pattern, but others easily recognizable as faces or landscapes. Whoever was inside was definitely looking to make a statement, and Callie became incredibly curious who it might be.
“Olin, correct?” Arkan Pelidri asked the Lionkin as he arrived at his group. He then snapped his finger and pointed in remembrance. “Bladeweaver trainer?”
“That’s right, Arkan. It’s good to see you again.”
“You as well. Tell me, Trainer Olin, who’s your best this term?”
The trainer demurred, really not wanting to diminish any of his students. “They are all quite excellent, Arkan.” That was at least true.
“Yes, but which is the best?”
“Uh …” This really wasn’t fair to any of them.
“It’s okay,” Nola whispered out of the corner of her mouth, still standing rigidly at attention. “We know it’s Pixyl.”
If he was in any way annoyed, or even noticed the Lizardkin’s interruption, the imposing officer didn’t show it. Olin, on the other hand, visibly relaxed. “Then that would be Corporal-Major Pixyl,” he sighed, gesturing downwards.
The Arkan looked down, before taking a step back as if he’d noticed Pixyl for the first time and realized he had been crowding her. “A Pixie? As a Bladeweaver? And she’s a corporal-major?” He turned to address Pixyl directly. “Where did you serve before coming here?”
“N-N-Nowhere,” Pixyl replied quietly. Then, she tacked on a quick, “Arkan.”
“How …” Pelidri trailed off, obviously confused.
“There was an incident on the first day of the term,” Xera said by way of brief clarification. “Through courage and masterful skill, she saved several lives. In addition to the double promotion, she was awarded a Bronze Sword as well as a Red Heartstone.”
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Pelidri laughed in disbelief. “On her first day? And she was injured badly enough for a Heartstone? Truly? This must be another story to add to the list, then.”
“That’s right,” Xera replied. “Quite the story, actually. In fact, she’s quite the soldier, and probably our best Demon fighter.”
Pelidri looked down at Pixyl, who was blushing with Xera’s praise, before dropping to one knee to get closer to eye level. As he had done with Ambria, he spoke in the other language, addressing Pixyl directly.
“I’m s-s-sorry, Arkan,” Pixyl said quietly, still blushing in embarrassment. “I d-d-don’t speak Fae.”
“Ah. Then I simply wish to profoundly thank you for your service and sacrifice. The honor of meeting you is all mine, and I look forward to hearing of your actions.” Pelidri tapped his right fist to his chest, using the Imorian gesture, to emphasize his words. Standing again, the Arkan nodded onwards as Pixyl heaved a huge sigh of relief it was over.
The inspection continued, Pelidri making sure to speak with a member of each class, which included Fynisse and Chown when it was time for them to represent. Xera made a point of not only introducing Juniper directly, but also speaking for her, filling the Arkan in on why the Dryad was in training, at least the official story. This kept the amount of talking Juniper did to a minimum, Xera likely wanting to make sure she didn’t say something awkward or inappropriate. It was a little rude on Xera’s part, but was probably for the best.
“And you remember Trainer Reynard?” Thorn said when the inspection arrived at the Rangers.
“I do remember you being much taller?” Pelidri said with a laugh as he looked at the seated Foxkin. He extended his hand and Reynard clasped his wrist in return. “I presume there is a good explanation?”
“Combat mission the second week of the term,” Reynard said succinctly. “Got caught by a big river eel. Chomped off my leg, but the Regrowth is going well.”
“Ahh. Good to hear you’re on the mend. So these are your Rangers?”
“That’s right. Four of them. Each receiving top marks in their training.” You could hear the pride in Reynard’s voice. “Behind me is Trainer Vonn, Platinum tiered and a first-term graduate of the camp, who served with distinction on the line. Civilian now, but she has stepped in to provide assistance while I’m healing.”
‘Well met, Trainer,” Pelidri said in acknowledgement. Clapping once and rubbing his hands together, he looked over the Ranger recruits. “So, who shall I choose?” His eyes fell lower. “Well, I can’t help but see the pink hair leaking out from around the strange hats you are all wearing. She’s actually a Ranger?”
“She is,” Thorn confirmed.
“A very good one, in fact,” Xera added.
“While I have known many Gnomes in my days, I’ve never met a Gnome Ranger. Tell me, Little One, are you as skilled as Xera implies?”
Callie almost groaned out loud. Somehow she’d known since the inspection had started that she was going to be chosen to be interrogated. Her luck couldn’t be that good, after all. “Er ….” she stumbled, looking to Xera for some kind of assistance. Their face was expressionless, as was Thorn’s. “I did kill an attacking Basilisk with exploding arrows. Does that count?”
Pelidri looked at Reynard, raising his white eyebrows. The Foxkin nodded in confirmation. “Exploding arrows? Well, that sounds like a sight to see. Perhaps later today or tomorrow?” He then looked up to Jesca. “I see you have been allowed a pet? Does it have a name?”
“Iris, Arkan,” Jesca replied curtly. Hearing her name, the little drakeling rose on Jesca’s shoulder, rippling a rainbow in greeting to the visitor.
Xera chuckled. “Recruit Jesca is not only a Ranger, but also has a second class. That class is Beastmaster, and the drakeling is one of her Bonded Companions. Another one of the strange stories we have this term.”
Glancing up at the overhead Heartwood tree, The Arkan simply shook his head. “Two classes? Things certainly do appear to have become rather odd since the last time I visited.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” Thorn said under his breath, which resulted in a stern look from Xera, and another curious raised eyebrow from the Arkan. Callie couldn’t help but smirk, herself.
Inspection of the Rangers concluded, Xera moved the group on, continuing down the line and stopping as before to speak briefly with a representative of each remaining class. The Bladedancers were the last to be interrogated, and Lena was chosen, in turn forced to explain why everyone was wearing the strange, maroon berets, including removing hers to show her bald head. The Arkan in return loudly praised the Bladedancers for their solidarity to their comrade and declared that the hats did look ‘quite stylish.’
“Stand at ease!” Natala called out to everyone as the Arkan finished with the last group. They had all practiced this change of stance that morning a few times, and as one, each recruit relaxed, putting their feet shoulder-width apart and clasping their hands at the small of their backs. Pelidri, with Xera and Thorn still in tow, walked to the front of the formation, turning to face the assembly.
“Commandant, I see before me a very fine group of recruits,” the Arkan called out, his deep voice carrying and a general vibe of praise washing over everyone. “My first visit here was Midsummer last year, and the recruits of that term had excelled in their training. They’ve gone on to become the heroes we need to guard the line against our enemies. I see that same excellence in all of you as well, and know you will become the heroes that surpass those that came before you. Trainers, be proud of what you have wrought in bestowing your knowledge. To all of you, recruit, trainer and soldier alike, I simply offer you the heartfelt thanks of not one, but two kingdoms. May the stars shine upon King Feldwin. May the stars shine upon Queen Nemina. May the stars shine upon us all.” He looked to Xera, taking a step back and yielding to them.
“Thank you for your kind words, Arkan,” Xera said, their speech quite formal. “Sergeant-Major?”
“Yes, Commandant?”
“This inspection has concluded. You may dismiss the ranks.”
“Understood, Commandant,” Natala confirmed, before spinning to face the assembly. “Recruits, come to attention!” Footsteps stomped as one as each changed their stance. “You have thirty minutes to reclaim your gear and return to the training field. You are all dismissed!”
At once, a giant, collective sigh of relief seemed to wash over everyone. This Arkan Pelidri had been intimidating, even more than that, almost frightening, in a way. Sure, his words and demeanor were kind, almost fatherly to be honest, but you could sense his importance just rolling off him. He may have an equivalent rank to Xera, but whatever his responsibilities, they were far, far larger than what the Commandant’s were.
“All of you, take an hour before we meet on the field,” Reynard said to Vonn and the other Rangers before they departed, a worried look showing on his face as he watched Thorn and Xera in the distance, both still chatting with the Arkan. “I have to do something with Thorn first and I need these two.” He gestured towards Callie and Jesca.
“Isss sssomething wrong?” Vonn asked.
“Hopefully not, but with her, you never can tell what might happen.”
“Alright,” Vonn said slowly before waving Shul’an and Thucax on their way. “You heard him. One hour.”
Reynard’s face seemed to light up, and he looked up and back at Vonn. “Vonn, I just had another idea.”
“What’sss that?”
“Pass the word to the other trainers, and have them pass it to the recruits. Let’s get all the recruits on the field before breakfast to participate in the morning Callie-Chi exercises.”
“What?” Callie gasped. “All of them?” Her morning classes only had a core group of about fifteen, with another ten or so that would occasionally participate. Most of the recruits wanted nothing to do with something happening that early, and frankly didn’t have the demeanor for it. “And I wish you’d all stop calling it that!”
“Yeah,” Reynard said quietly, ignoring Callie as he rubbed his chin, as if confirming to himself the idea was a good one. “Pelidri is an Emerald-tier Martialist, and the camp needs to impress him. I think that will get his attention.”
“All of them, though?” Callie said skeptically, trying to imagine Shirax, the Rhinokin, or even Tazrok, trying to do nimble meditation exercises. The image in her head wasn’t exactly pretty.
“Yes! All of them!” Reynard confirmed. He looked at Vonn again. “Get the word out, but do it quietly. I’ll let Thorn and Xera know and we’ll make it a surprise.”
“Oh boy,” Callie mumbled to herself as she blew out her cheeks.